Germany Ready to Sell Tanks to Turkey

Struck is scheduled to come to Turkey for a two-day official trip and told German News Agency (DPA) yesterday that he does not know if the Turkish government still wants German tanks, but said Turkey submitted a request for them in 1999 and that the German Federal Security Council would approve such a sale. He said, “If the demand is made, I will approve it.”

Struck explained that he objected to the sale of tanks to Turkey in 1999 when he was the Social Democrat Party federal parliamentary group president, but said “Now the situation has completely changed in Turkey.” The German Minister said claims that these tanks were being used in Southeastern Turkey were false.

Struck’s visit to Turkey begins on Wednesday (November 19). He will meet with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and his Turkish counterpart, Vecdi Gonul.